India's Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and TikTok have announced an expanded partnership to promote the growth of e-commerce and crack down on illegal online sales of vaping products.
DTI officials met with TikTok executives in Singapore on June 5 and praised the platform for its swift response to a Order to Clarify (SCO) over the sale of e-cigarette products.
The app said it had removed over 570 pieces of user-generated content and 337 related products from its platform in compliance with Philippine regulations restricting the online sale of e-cigarettes.
TikTok's Safety Enforcement Tool (TSET) allows verified government agencies to request and monitor the removal of harmful content.
The DTI has expressed interest in utilizing TSET, but both parties need to agree on transparent information sharing regarding government reports.
The DTI and TikTok also unveiled initiatives such as the app's involvement as a major sponsor of the upcoming first Cashless Expo, a joint project between the DTI, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) and the private sector.
The expo is co-organized with the Department of Agriculture (DA) and aims to promote digital payments in the agriculture and trade sectors.
The two sides discussed establishing a Content Creator Academy to nurture Filipino talent and further digital integration in the country.
The DTI also commended TikTok for joining a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL) in combating online counterfeiting and piracy and creating a safer e-commerce environment for consumers and brand owners.
